Fuel supplying apparatus

ABSTRACT

A fuel supplying apparatus includes a reservoir to be inserted from an opening portion provided in an upper portion of a fuel tank, a tank cover for closing the opening portion of the fuel tank, and a coupling mechanism for coupling the reservoir and the fuel tank with each other so as to be mutually displaceable. The coupling mechanism includes a retainer member rotatably connected to the reservoir through a predetermined pivot, and at least one coupling member for coupling the retainer member and the tank cover with each other so that the pivot can be moved in a vertical direction of the fuel tank relative to the tank cover.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a fuel supplying apparatus,mounted in a fuel tank, in which components such as a fuel pump and thelike for supplying fuel are assembled as a module.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] As an apparatus for taking fuel out of a fuel tank of anautomotive vehicle and for supplying the fuel to a fuel injection deviceor the like, there is an approach in which a reservoir installed withinthe fuel tank and a tank cover for closing an opening portion formed inan upper portion of the fuel tank are connected to each other, andcomponents such as the reservoir, a fuel pump, a fuel filter, a pressureregulator and the like are assembled into a module that is attachable toor detachable from the fuel tank (see Japanese Examined PatentPublication Hei 7-109179 and German Patent Application Laid-OpenDE3510890, for example).

[0005] In the fuel supplying apparatus disclosed in the above-describedpublications, in order to cope with the deformation of the fuel tankcorresponding to the pressure difference between the interior and theexterior thereof, the vibration of the automotive vehicle or the like,the tank cover mounted on the upper portion of the fuel tank and thereservoir located on the bottom portion of the fuel tank are coupledwith each other to be mutually displaceable in the vertical direction ofthe fuel tank (i.e., in an axial direction of the opening portion of thefuel tank).

[0006] However, since the reservoir is formed into a cylindrical shapecoaxial with the tank cover, if all the components such as the fuelpump, the fuel filter and the like are disposed between the tank coverand the reservoir, a large space is needed therebetween, causing aheight of the fuel tank to be increased. In order to solve this problemof the increased height, it is possible to make an approach to increasediameters of the reservoir and the tank cover. However, in this case,since the area of the opening portion of the fuel tank is increased,this is disadvantageous in view of the mechanical strength of the fueltank.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,038,741 discloses a fuel supplying apparatus inwhich a cylindrical container receiving therein a fuel pump is connectedto the tank cover through a bellows, and the fuel pump and theabove-described container are slanted obliquely to be installed withinthe fuel tank by utilizing the elastic deformation of the bellows. Withsuch an arrangement, a height of the unit is decreased in comparisonwith the case where the fuel pump and the container are installed in anupright condition just below the opening portion of the fuel tank, andit is possible to make the fuel tank thin without enlarging the openingportion of the fuel tank. However, in this apparatus, a retainer portionprovided on the bottom portion within the fuel tank and the reservoirare coupled with each other within the fuel tank to thereby retain thereservoir in a predetermined position. Accordingly, the assembling workof the reservoir is time-consuming. Also, the like problem isencountered upon the removal of the reservoir.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] One object of the present invention is to provide a fuelsupplying apparatus in which components such as a reservoir and a fuelpump can efficiently be attached to or detached away from a fuel tankand which can suppress a height of the fuel tank without enlarging anopening portion of the fuel tank.

[0009] The present invention will now be described. Incidentally, inorder to well understand the present invention, in the followingdescription, the reference numerals are to be added to the components ormembers in parenthesis but it is apparent that the present invention isnot limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings.

[0010] In order to attain above-described and other objects of thepresent invention, according to one aspect of the present invention,there is provided a fuel supplying apparatus (10A, 10B, 10C) comprisingan reservoir (11, 41, 51) to be inserted from an opening portion (1 b)provided in an upper portion of a fuel tank (1), a tank cover (12) forclosing the opening portion of the fuel tank and a coupling mechanism(13, 43) for coupling the reservoir and the fuel tank with each other soas to be mutually displaceable, wherein the coupling mechanism comprisesa retainer member (30, 44) rotatably connected to the reservoir througha predetermined pivot (32, 40) and at least one coupling member (31, 47)for coupling the retainer member and the tank cover with each other sothat the pivot is movable in a vertical direction of the fuel tankrelative to the tank cover.

[0011] According to this invention, since the reservoir and the retainermember are rotatably coupled with each other, the posture of entire orpart of the reservoir relative to the tank cover can be changed. Byutilizing the change of the posture, it is possible to insert at leastpart of the reservoir beyond the region just below the opening portionof the fuel tank. Accordingly, it is possible to increase the capacityof the reservoir without enlarging the opening portion, and at the sametime to reduce also the height of the fuel tank. For example, in thecase where the part of the reservoir extends to the deeper portion ofthe fuel tank, it is possible to suppress the height thereof to reducethe height of the fuel tank while maintaining the capacity to be neededfor the reservoir. Also, in the case where all the reservoir is insertedfrom the region just below the opening portion of the fuel tank to thedeeper portion, since the reservoir and the tank cover do not overlapwith each other in the vertical direction, it is possible to increasethe height of the reservoir to thereby increase its capacity whilesuppressing the increase of the height of the fuel tank.

[0012] Also, since the reservoir installed within the fuel tank and thetank cover are coupled with each other by the retainer member and thecoupling member, it is possible to impart a sufficient rigidity to theretainer member or the coupling member to thereby locate the reservoirin a predetermined position within the fuel tank while. Thus, it is notnecessary to provide the retainer portion for the reservoir to the innerbottom surface of the fuel tank, and the reservoir can be efficientlyattached to or detached away from the fuel tank.

[0013] Furthermore, since the pivot for coupling the retainer member andthe reservoir with each other can be moved in the vertical direction ofthe fuel tank, it is possible to relatively move the tank cover and thereservoir in the vertical direction in correspondence with the vibrationof the vehicle or the deformation of the fuel tank.

[0014] In the fuel supplying apparatus according to the above invention,the coupling mechanism (13, 43) may comprise a biasing device (33, 48,49) for imparting a force for depressing the reservoir onto a bottomsurface (1 c) of the fuel tank (1).

[0015] According to this embodiment, the reservoir is depressed to theinner bottom surface of the fuel tank by the biasing device so that thelift thereof may be prevented.

[0016] The retainer member (30) and the coupling member (31) may beassembled so as to be mutually displaceable in a linear fashion alongthe vertical direction of the fuel tank (1).

[0017] According to this embodiment, the motion of the reservoir coupledthrough the pivot with the retainer member is limited to both of arotational motion about the pivot and a linear motion in the verticaldirection in association with the movement of the retainer member.Accordingly, there is no possibility that the reservoir installed on theinner bottom surface of the fuel tank would be freely moved along theinner bottom surface.

[0018] The pivot (32) may be provided at one end side of the reservoir(11) in a direction along an inner bottom surface (1 c) of the fuel tank(1), the fuel supplying apparatus may further comprise a stopper (11 c)for allowing the reservoir to rotate in a direction in which another endside of the reservoir moves downwardly below a level of the pivot, andfor limiting a rotation of the reservoir in the opposite directionthereto.

[0019] According to this embodiment, the lift of the other end side(left end side of FIG. 1) of the reservoir from the inner bottom surfacecan be prevented by the stopper.

[0020] The retainer member (30) may be formed into a hollow cylindricalmember connected to the reservoir (11) so as to be rotatable about thepivot (32), and the coupling member (31) may be formed into a shaftmember having a lower end slidably inserted into a central portion ofthe retainer member and an upper end side attached to the tank cover(12).

[0021] According to this embodiment, it is possible to construct theretainer member and the coupling member in a coaxial structure tothereby make compact the coupling mechanism. The pivot can be providedon the outer circumference of the retainer member so that the reservoirand the retainer member may readily be coupled in a rotatable fashionwith each other.

[0022] A coil spring (33) for biasing the retainer member (30) towardthe inner bottom surface (1 c) of the fuel tank (1) may be provided onan outer circumference of the coupling member (31).

[0023] According to this embodiment, the reservoir (11) can be depressedagainst the inner bottom surface of the fuel tank by the force of thecoil spring. Since the coil spring is mounted around the outercircumference of the coupling member formed as the shaft member, it ispossible to use the coil spring with a small inner diameter that issubstantially the same as the outer diameter of the retainer member. Itis possible to maintain the coupling mechanism in a compact structure.

[0024] The coupling member (47) may rotatably be connected to the tankcover (12) and the retainer member (44), respectively.

[0025] According to this embodiment, the reservoir can be moved in thevertical direction by the combination of the rotational motion of theretainer member about the pivot relative to the reservoir and therotational motion of the coupling member relative to each of theretainer member and the tank cover, and at the same time, can entirelyor partially be moved in a direction along the inner bottom surface ofthe fuel tank. By utilizing these movements, it is possible to insertall or part of the reservoir into the deeper portion from the regionjust below the opening portion of the fuel tank.

[0026] A torsion coil spring (48) for imparting a force in a directionfor depressing the reservoir (41, 51) onto the inner bottom surface (1c) of the fuel tank (1) may be provided at a joint portion (45) betweenthe retainer member (44) and the coupling member (47).

[0027] According to this embodiment, since the coil spring is disposedat the joint portion between the retainer member and the couplingmember, it is possible to make compact the coupling mechanism.

[0028] The reservoir (51) may be provide with a main body (52) and amovable portion (54) connected to the main body so as to be extendablefrom the main body toward a side of the reservoir, and the retainermember (44) may rotatably be connected to the movable portion.

[0029] According to this embodiment, in the case where the reservoir issuspended through the coupling mechanism from the tank cover, themovable portion can be retracted into the main body due to thegravitational force act to the reservoir whereby the reservoir may beinserted into the fuel tank through the narrow opening portion. Afterthe reservoir has been brought into contact with the inner bottomsurface of the fuel tank, the tank cover is further depressed toward theopening portion. This operation is transmitted to the movable portionthrough the coupling mechanism. Thus, the movable portion may beextended from the main body and inserted into the deeper portion of thefuel tank.

[0030] In order to solve the foregoing objects, according to anotheraspect of the present invention, there is provided a fuel supplyingapparatus (10D) comprising a reservoir (61) to be inserted from anopening portion (1 b) provided in an upper portion of a fuel tank (1),and a tank cover (12) for closing the opening portion of the fuel tank(1), wherein the reservoir is provided with a support member (64)capable of moving between an insertion position (P1) in which thesupport member is suspended from the reservoir and an installationposition (P2) in which the support member extends toward a side of thereservoir, a fuel pump (16) is received in the reservoir, and at leastone component (20) to be interposed between an outlet port (16 a) of thefuel pump and an outlet port (12 a) of the tank cover is mounted on thesupport member.

[0031] According to this invention, when the reservoir is to be insertedinto the fuel tank, the support member is moved to the insertionposition, and the components mounted on the support member and thereservoir can be inserted in order from the opening portion into thefuel tank. Then, the support member inserted into the fuel tank is movedto the installation position whereby the components mounted on thesupport member may be inserted into the deeper portion of the fuel tankbeyond the region just below the opening portion of the fuel tank. Thus,since the components are disposed outside of the reservoir, it ispossible to increase the capacity of the reservoir in comparison withthe case where the components are to be received in the reservoir. Also,since it is not necessary to keep the space for the components betweenthe reservoir and the tank cover, it is possible to reduce the height ofthe fuel tank.

[0032] In the fuel supplying apparatus according to the above invention,a fuel filter (20) may be mounted on the support member (64) as thecomponent.

[0033] According to this embodiment, the fuel filter which has arelatively large volume out of the components to be arranged within thefuel tank can be disposed outside of the reservoir. Therefore, it ispossible to sufficiently increase the capacity of the reservoir.

[0034] In order to solve the foregoing objects, according to stillanother aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fuelsupplying apparatus (10B, 10D, 10E) comprising a tank cover (12) forclosing an opening portion (1 b) of a fuel tank (1), a first unit (UN1)suspended from the tank cover into the fuel tank, and a second unit(UN2) coupled with the first unit so as to movable in a predetermineddirection relative to the first unit, wherein one of the first and thesecond units is provided with a reservoir (41, 61, 81) housed therein afuel pump (16) and another of the first and the second units is providedwith a fuel filter (20, 90).

[0035] According to this invention, the tank cover, the first and thesecond units are assembled as a module capable of integrally beingattached to or detached from the fuel tank. Thus, it is possible toefficiently attach or detach various components of the fuel supplyingapparatus to or from the fuel tank. The posture of the apparatus can bechanged between an insertion state suitable for inserting the apparatusinto the fuel tank through the narrow opening portion thereof and aninstallation state suitable for installing the apparatus in the fueltank having limited height by changing the position of the second unitrelative to the first unit. Since the fuel filter and the fuel pump,each of which constitutes a main component of the fuel supplyingapparatus, are disposed in the separate units, the components may not beconcentrated in one of the units. Therefore, it is possible to designboth units in a size capable of easily being inserted into the fuel tankthrough the narrow opening portion thereof. The fuel filter and the fuelpump can be connected through a flexible hose so that there is noproblem even if the second unit is moved relative to the first unit.

[0036] In the fuel supplying apparatus according to the above invention,the second unit (UN2) may be capable of moving away from the first unit(UN1) toward a side of the fuel tank (1). According to this embodiment,the second unit can be arranged away from the first unit inserted in thefuel tank to thereby reduce the height of the fuel tank. Incidentally,the movement of the second unit can include both parallel motion androtational motion.

[0037] The first unit (UN1) may be provided with the fuel filter (20)and the second unit (UN2) may be provided with the reservoir (41) housedtherein the fuel pump (16). According to this embodiment, it is possibleto insert the reservoir and the fuel pump toward the deeper portion ofthe fuel tank from the region just below the tank cover. In thisembodiment, the reservoir (41) may be capable of moving away from thefirst unit (UN1) toward a side of the fuel tank (1). In this case, thereservoir and the fuel pump can be disposed away from the fuel filtersuspended just below the tank cover toward a side of the fuel tank tothereby reduce the height of the fuel tank. Incidentally, the movementof the reservoir can also include both parallel motion and rotationalmotion.

[0038] The second unit (UN2) may be capable of moving between aninsertion position (P1) in which the second unit is suspended downwardfrom the first unit (UN1) and an installation position (P2) in which thesecond unit is disposed above the insertion position toward the tankcover (12). According to this embodiment, when in the insertionoperation, the second unit can be moved to the insertion position tothereby insert the second unit independently. After inserting the secondunit, the second unit can be moved to the installation position toreduce the fuel supplying apparatus, thereby allowing the first unit tobe inserted into the fuel tank.

[0039] The first unit (UN1) may be provided with the reservoir (61, 81)and the second unit (UN2) may be provided with the fuel filter (20, 90).According to this embodiment, the fuel filter can be inserted into thedeeper portion of the fuel tank beyond the region just below tank coverto thereby utilize the region below the tank cover as a space foraccommodating the reservoir and the fuel pump. In this embodiment, thesecond unit (UN2) may be coupled with the first unit (UN1) so as to berotatable about a horizontal axis. In this case, it is possible toreadily provide the above apparatus by only rotatably connecting thesecond unit with the reservoir.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] In the accompanying drawings:

[0041]FIG. 1 is a partially fragmentary view showing a fuel supplyingapparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0042]FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the fuel supplying apparatusshown in FIG. 1;

[0043]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III ofFIG. 1;

[0044]FIG. 4 is a view showing a state in which the reservoir shown inFIG. 1 is to be inserted into the fuel tank;

[0045]FIG. 5 is a partially fragmentary view showing a fuel supplyingapparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0046]FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a fuel supplying apparatus inaccordance with a third embodiment of the present invention;

[0047]FIGS. 7A and 7B are views showing a state in which the fuelsupplying apparatus shown in FIG. 6 is attached to or detached from thefuel tank;

[0048]FIG. 8 is a view showing a fuel supplying apparatus in accordancewith a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

[0049]FIG. 9 is a front view showing a fuel supplying apparatus inaccordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

[0050]FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the fuel supplying apparatus shownin FIG. 9;

[0051]FIG. 11 is a left side view showing the fuel supplying apparatusshown in FIG. 9; and

[0052]FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along the line XII-XII of FIG.11.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0053] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described withreference to the accompanying drawings.

[0054]FIGS. 1 and 2 show a fuel supplying apparatus in accordance with afirst embodiment of the present invention. A vertical direction of FIG.1 corresponds to a vertical direction of the fuel tank 1. The fuelsupplying apparatus 10A is provided with a reservoir 11 to be insertedinto the fuel tank 1, a tank cover 12 for closing an opening portion 1 bformed in an upper wall 1 a of the fuel tank 1, and a pair of couplingmechanisms 13 (see FIG. 2) for coupling the reservoir 11 and the fueltank 1 with each other to be mutually displaceable. The fuel tank 1, thereservoir 11 and the tank cover 12 are made of, for example, resin.

[0055] The reservoir 11 is formed into a flat container-like shapehaving a large overall length in comparison with its height. Thereservoir 11 is laid on an inner bottom surface 1 c of the fuel tank 1under the condition that the reservoir 11 receives therein a fuel pump16 and a fuel filter 20. As shown also in FIG. 3, a pump support wall 11a projecting in a semicircular shape in its cross-section is provided onone side of the reservoir 11 in the longitudinal direction thereof. Thepump support wall 11 a is slanted so as to project sideward as it goestoward the upper end thereof. The fuel pump 16 is mounted on the insideof the pump support wall 11 a and slanted obliquely from the verticaldirection of the fuel tank 1. Thus, the height of the fuel pump 16within the fuel tank 1 is decreased so that the height of the fuel tank1 (a dimension in the vertical direction of FIG. 1) may be decreased.Incidentally, it is preferable that a slant angle of the pump 16relative to the vertical plane is set at a value equal to or less than45°, for example.

[0056] A suction filter 17 is mounted at an inlet port 16 a at the lowerend of the fuel pump 16. The fuel within the reservoir 11 is sucked upto the fuel pump 16 through this suction filter 17. On the other hand,an outlet port 16 b of the fuel pump 16 is connected to an inlet port 21a of the fuel filter 20 through a hose 18.

[0057] The fuel filter 20 has a housing 21 formed of resin or the likeand a filter element 22 having a hollow cylindrical form and fit in theinterior of the housing 21. The fuel introduced from the inlet port 21 ato the interior of the housing 21 passes the filter element 22 from anouter circumferential side toward the central portion thereof.Thereafter, the fuel is introduced from an outlet port 21 b of thehousing 21 through a hose 23 to a lower end portion of an outlet pipe 12a of the tank cover 12. An upper end portion of the outlet pipe 12 aprojects upwardly of the tank cover 12. The fuel discharged from theprojecting portion of the outlet pipe 12 a is fed to the fuel injectiondevice (not shown) of the automotive vehicle. A necessary amount of thefed fuel is injected into cylinders of an internal combustion enginethrough the fuel injection device. An extra amount of fuel generated inthe fuel injection device is returned back to the interior of the fueltank 1 from a return pipe 12 b (see FIG. 2) of the tank cover 12. Thereturned fuel is discharged into the interior of the reservoir 11 afterpassing through the interior of a suction filter 24 mounted on arecessed portion 11 d of the reservoir 11. The outside fuel of thereservoir 11 is sucked into the suction filter 24 by utilizing anegative pressure when the extra fuel has passed therethrough.

[0058] Each of the coupling mechanisms 13 has a hollow cylinder 30 as aretainer member and a rod 31 as a coupling member slidably inserted intoa central portion of the cylinder 30. As shown also in FIG. 3, a crankpin 32 is provided on an outer circumference of each cylinder 30, andeach pin 32 is rotatably engaged with a coupling hole 11 b formed in thepump support wall 11 a of the reservoir 11. The cylinder 30, the rod 31and the crank pin 32 are made of resin, metal material or the like andhave a rigidity enough to bind, to a predetermined position within thefuel tank 1, the reservoir 11 on which the fuel pump 16, the fuel filter20 and the like are mounted.

[0059] Incidentally, in the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the pair ofcoupling mechanisms 13, 13 are provided and the cylinders 30, 30 of therespective coupling mechanisms 13, 13 are arranged so as to put the pumpsupport wall 11 a therebetween. On one side of the reservoir 11, thereare provided stop portions 11 c, 11 c which face the cylinders 30, 30.When the reservoir 11 rotates clockwise from the position of FIG. 1about the crank pins 32, the stop portions 11 c are brought into contactwith the cylinders 30 to thereby limit the further rotational motion ofthe reservoir 11. As a result, there is no possibility that the otherend side (i.e., the left side of FIG. 1) of the reservoir 11 would belifted within the fuel tank 1.

[0060] A small diameter portion 30 a is formed at an upper end of eachcylinder 30 and a large diameter portion 31 a engaged with the smalldiameter portion 30 a is formed at a lower end of the rod 31. Thus, theupward pull of the rod 31 away from the cylinder 30 is prevented. Theupper end of the rod 31 is fixed to the lower surface side of the tankcover 12 by utilizing a fastening means such as bolts or the like. Abiasing means such as a spring 33 is mounted on the outer circumferenceof the rod 31 under the compressed condition to a suitable extent. Thereservoir 11 coupled through the cylinders 30 and the crank pins 32 isdepressed onto the inner bottom surface 1 c of the fuel tank 1 by therepulsive force of the coil springs 33.

[0061] With such coupling mechanisms 13, the reservoir 11 and the tankcover 12 are coupled with each other through the cylinders 30 and therods 31, and in addition, the reservoir 11 can rotate at pivot points ofthe crank pins 32 relative to the cylinders 30. Accordingly, when thereservoir 11 is to be inserted into the fuel tank 1, as shown in FIG. 4,the reservoir 11 can be rotated relative to the cylinders 30 so that theposture of the reservoir 11 is changed relative to the tank cover 12.Thus, it is possible to easily insert the reservoir 11, having the largeoverall length, from the narrow opening portion 1 b into the fuel tank1.

[0062] Then, since the reservoir 11 inserted into the fuel tank 1 iscoupled with the tank cover 12 through the cylinders 30 and the rods 31to be retained in a predetermined position, it is not necessary tocouple the reservoir 11 with the other member within the fuel tank 1 andto fix the reservoir 11 to the inner bottom surface 1 c of the fuel tank1. Accordingly, in case of assembling the fuel supplying apparatus, onlythe following operational steps are required. Namely, all thecomponents, such as the fuel pump 16, the suction filters 17 and 24, thefuel filter 20, the hoses 18 and 23 are mounted on the reservoir 11 inadvance, the reservoir 11 and the tank cover 12 are coupled with eachother through the coupling mechanisms 13, further, the electrical wiringare arranged for the fuel pump 16 and the like, the reservoir 11 isinserted into the fuel tank 1, and the tank cover 12 is fixed around theopening portion 1 b by using bolts or the like. Also, in the case wherethe reservoir 11 is to be removed away from the fuel tank 1, it is onlynecessary to remove the tank cover 12 and to pull the reservoir 11upwardly from the opening portion 1 b.

[0063] In the case where the fuel tank 1 is deformed due to the pressuredifference between the interior and the exterior, as indicated bytwo-dot and dash lines in FIG. 1, the cylinders 30 and the rods 31 areslid each other to thereby absorb the deformation therebetween. Also,when the fuel tank 1 is displaced in the vertical direction thereof dueto the vibration of the automotive vehicle, the cylinders 30 and therods 31 are slid in the same manner to absorb the displacementtherebetween.

[0064] Incidentally, as indicated by two-dot and dash lines (phantomlines) in FIG. 4, the shape of the upper edge of the reservoir 11 is notlimited to a linear shape. It is possible to suitable modify it to theshape that is convenient to pass the reservoir 11 through the openingportion 1 b.

[0065]FIG. 5 is a view showing a second embodiment of the presentinvention. In FIG. 5, the same reference numerals are used to indicatethe common components or members shown in FIGS. 1 to 4.

[0066] The fuel supplying apparatus 10B in FIG. 5 is provided with areservoir 41 to be inserted into the fuel tank 1, a tank cover 42 forclosing the opening portion 1 b formed in the upper wall 1 a of the fueltank 1, and a coupling mechanism 43 for coupling the reservoir 41 andthe fuel tank 1 with each other to be mutually displaceable.

[0067] The reservoir 41 is formed into a cylindrical container whoseupper end is open. The fuel pump 16 is received in an upright condition,i.e., the condition in which the axis thereof coincides with thevertical direction of the fuel tank 1. The central portion of the tankcover 12 is integrated with the housing 21 of the fuel filter 20. Then,the lower end portion of the outlet pipe 12 a provided in the middle ofthe tank cover 12 is engaged with the central portion of the filterelement 22.

[0068] The coupling mechanism 43 has a first link 44 used as a retainermember rotatably coupled through a pin 40 to the outer circumferentialportion of the upper end of the reservoir 41 and a second link 47 usedas a coupling member rotatably coupled to both the link 44 and thehousing 21 of the fuel filter 20 through pins 45 and 46.

[0069] Biasing means such as torsion coil springs 48 and 49 are providedaround the pins 45 and 46. Arms 48 a and 48 a of the torsion coil spring48 abut against spring receivers 44 a and 47 a provided on the links 44and 47, respectively. As a result, a clockwise force about the pin 45 isapplied to the link 47 and a counterclockwise force about the pin 45 isapplied to the like 47, respectively. On the other hand, arms 49 a and49 a of the torsion coil spring 49 abut against spring receivers 47 band 21 c provided on the link 47 and the housing 21, respectively. As aresult, a counterclockwise force about the pin 46 is applied to the link47 and a clockwise force about the pin 46 is applied to the housing 21,respectively. The forces given by the torsion coil springs 48 and 49cause the reservoir 41 to be depressed against the inner bottom surface1 c of the fuel tank 1.

[0070] With such a coupling mechanism 43, in the case where thereservoir 41 and the tank cover 12 are removed away from the fuel tank1, the links 44 and 47 are moved to be substantially straightened in thevertical direction by the torsion coil springs 48 and 49. In accordancewith this movement, the reservoir 41 is moved from an installationposition P2 indicated by the solid lines to an insertion position P1indicated by the phantom line (two-dot and dash lines in FIG. 5). Underthis condition, the reservoir 41 is inserted from the opening portion 1b to the fuel tank 1. While the reservoir 41 is being moved toward theside of the fuel tank 1 from a region just below the opening portion 1b, the tank cover 12 is fixed around the opening portion 1 b to therebycomplete the mounting operation of the reservoir 41, the tank cover 12and the like.

[0071] In this embodiment, since the reservoir 41 is moved from theregion just below the tank cover 12 to the side, a height of thereservoir 41 and the fuel pump 16 to be received in the reservoir 41 isnot limited by the fuel filter 21. Also, the downward projection amountof the fuel filter 20 from the tank cover 12 is not limited by thereservoir 41 and the fuel pump 16. Thus, it is possible to considerablyreduce the height of the fuel tank 1 in comparison with the case wherethe fuel pump 16 and the fuel filter 20 are aligned with each other inthe vertical direction of the fuel tank 1.

[0072] Since the reservoir 41 inserted into the fuel tank 1 is retainedin the predetermined position by the links 44 and 47, it is notnecessary to fix the reservoir 41 to the inner bottom surface 1 c of thefuel tank 1 with coupling the reservoir 41 and the other componentswithin the fuel tank 1. In the case where the fuel tank 1 is deformeddue to the pressure difference between the interior and the exteriorthereof, the links 44 and 47 operate so as to absorb the displacement ofthe tank 1. The same operation may be occurred with respect to thedisplacement (the variation of the height) in the vertical direction ofthe fuel tank 1 due to the vibration of the automotive vehicle.Incidentally, it is possible to provide a single coupling mechanism 43and two or more coupling mechanisms 43. The fuel pump 16 may beinstalled horizontally. The coupling mechanism 43 may be replaced withthe type disclosed in the first embodiment. In the fuel supplyingapparatus 10B, the fuel filter 20 attached to the tank cover 12corresponds to a first unit UN1 and an assembly of the reservoir 41, thefuel pump 16 housed therein and the like corresponds to a second unitUN2.

[0073]FIGS. 6, 7A and 7B show a third embodiment of the presentinvention. In FIGS. 6, 7A and 7B, the same reference numerals are usedto indicate the common components or members shown in FIGS. 1 to 5. Inthe fuel supplying apparatus 10C shown in FIGS. 6, 7A and 7B, the tankcover 12 integrated with the housing 21 of the fuel filter 20 and thereservoir 51 are coupled with each other through a pair of couplingmechanisms 43 mainly composed of the links 44 and 47. The structure ofeach coupling mechanism 43 and the tank cover 12 is substantially thesame as that of the example shown in FIG. 5. However, in the embodimentshown in FIG. 5, the reservoir 41 is moved relative to the tank cover 12not only in the vertical direction but also in the horizontal directionsimultaneously. However, in this embodiment, each coupling mechanism 43is constructed so that the reservoir 51 can only be moved in thevertical direction just below the tank cover 12. Also, in each couplingmechanism 43, the torsion coil spring 49 is omitted therefrom.

[0074] The reservoir 51 is provided with a main body 52 and movableportions 54, 54 coupled to the main body 52 through pins 53, 53 so as tobe extendable from the main body 52 in the lateral direction of thereservoir 51. The links 44 of the coupling mechanisms 43 are rotatablycoupled with the movable portions 54 through the pins 40.

[0075] In the above-described fuel supplying apparatus 10C, in the casewhere the reservoir 51 is inserted into the fuel tank 1, as shown inFIG. 7A, the reservoir 51 is suspended just below the tank cover 12, andthe movable portions 54, 54 are retained under the condition that theyare retracted into the main body 52 due to the gravitational force acton the main body 52. Under this condition, the reservoir 51 can passthrough the opening portion 1 b. When the reservoir 51 is brought intocontact with the inner bottom surface 1 c of the fuel tank 1 and thetank cover 12 is pushed toward the opening portion 1 b, the links 44 and47 operate so as to move the pins 45 connecting them toward the sides ofthe tank cover 12. In accordance with this operation, the movableportions 54, 54 rotate about the pins 53 and extend toward the sides ofthe main body 52 (see FIG. 7B). In this condition that the movableportions 54 are extended, the width of the reservoir 51 becomes greaterthan the diameter of the opening portion 1 b.

[0076] Thus, in this embodiment, since the capacity of the reservoir 51is increased within the fuel tank 1, it is possible to keep a necessarycapacity while suppressing the increase of the height of the reservoir51. Also, it is not necessary to increase the diameter of the openingportion 1 b, because the movable portions 54 are stored in the bodyportion 52 when the reservoir 51 passes through the opening portion 1 b.Also, it is not necessary to fix the reservoir 51 within the fuel tank 1in the same manner as in the respective embodiments, because thereservoir 51 received in the fuel tank 1 is retained in thepredetermined position by the coupling mechanisms 43, The reservoir 51is depressed against the inner bottom surface 1 c of the fuel tank 1 bythe force of the torsion coil springs 48 and the displacement betweenthe tank cover 12 and the reservoir 51 in the vertical direction isabsorbed by the operation of the links 44 and 47.

[0077]FIG. 8 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention.However, the same reference numerals are used to indicate the commoncomponents or members used in FIGS. 1 to 7. In the apparatus 10A to 10Cin accordance with the foregoing first to third embodiments, there is acommon point that the part of each of the reservoirs 11, 41 and 51projects on one side relative to the region just below the openingportion 1 b. However, in the fuel supplying apparatus 10D shown in FIG.8, the reservoir 61 is formed in a cylindrical container having such asize that the reservoir can pass through the opening portion 1 b of thefuel tank 1. Then, a coil spring 65 is mounted for depressing thereservoir against to the inner bottom surface 1 c of the fuel tank 1between the reservoir 61 and the tank cover 12.

[0078] A stop flange 62 is provided around an outer circumference of thereservoir 61. A bracket 64 used as a support member is mounted through ahinge 63 to be rotatable between an insertion position P1 where thebracket 64 is suspended below the reservoir 61 and an installationposition P2 where the bracket 64 extends on one side of the reservoir61. It should be however noted that the rotation of the bracket 64 onthe right side beyond the insertion position P1 and the upward rotationthereof beyond the installation position P2 is prevented by the contactbetween the stop flange 62 and the bracket 64.

[0079] The fuel pump 16 is provided in the interior of the reservoir 61to be slanted relative to the vertical plane. On the other hand, thefuel filter 20 is not received in the reservoir 61 but fixed onto thebracket 64. The connection of the fuel filter 20 to both of the outletpipe 12 a of the tank cover 12 and the fuel pump 16 is the same as thatof the example shown in FIG. 1. In order to suppress the transmission ofthe vibration between the fuel tank 1 and the fuel filter 20, vibrationisolating members 66 made of rubber or the like are mounted on thebracket 64.

[0080] With such a fuel supplying apparatus 10D, since the fuel filter20 is installed outside of the reservoir 61, the capacity of thereservoir 61 is increased in comparison with the case where the fuelfilter 20 is received therein. When the reservoir 61 is to be insertedinto the fuel tank 1, the bracket 64 is rotated to the insertionposition P1, and after the insertion, the bracket 64 is rotated to theinstallation position P2, whereby it is possible to receive the fuelfilter 20 and the reservoir 61 in the fuel tank 1 without enlarging theopening portion 1 b. The similar advantage can be obtained when thereservoir 61 is removed from the tank 1.

[0081] In the fuel supplying apparatus 10D, an assembly of thecomponents such as the reservoir 61, the fuel pump 16 and the likecorresponds to a first unit UN1, and an assembly of the bracket 64 andcomponents mounted thereon, such as the fuel filter 20 and the like,corresponds to a second unit UN2.

[0082] Incidentally, it is possible to mount other components to beconnected between the fuel pump 16 and the outlet pipe portion 12 a (forexample, the pressure regulator) instead of the fuel filter 20 or inaddition to the fuel filter 20.

[0083] FIGS. 9 to 12 show a fifth embodiment of the present invention.However, the same reference numerals are used to indicate the commoncomponents or members used in FIGS. 1 to 8. In the fuel supplyingapparatus 10E of this embodiment, the tank cover 12 is integrally formedat its lower surface with a cylindrical sleeve 80. At the inner side ofthe sleeve 80 is provided a reservoir 80. The reservoir 81 is providedwith projections 81 a . . . 81 a at its upper end on the outercircumference thereof. These projections 81 a are fit into slits 80 a ofthe sleeve 80, and thus the reservoir 81 is coupled with the sleeve 80so as to be movable in the vertical direction. Between a lid 81 b of thereservoir 81 and the lower surface of the tank cover 12, there isprovided a coil spring 82. The reservoir 81 is biased downwardly by theforce of the coil spring 82, so that the bottom surface 81 c of thereservoir 81 can be depressed onto the inner bottom surface 1 c of thefuel tank 1 (see FIG. 12). At the lower end of the reservoir 81, thereis provided a jet pump 85. The return pipe portion 12 b provided on thetank cover 12 and the jet pump 85 are communicated with each otherthrough a hose 86. Therefore, the extra fuel returned to the return pipeportion 12 b is introduced into the jet pump 85 through the hose 86. Thefuel accommodated outside the reservoir 81 can be sucked into thereservoir 81 through the suction filter 24 due to negative pressureoccurred in accordance with the passage of the extra fuel.

[0084] The fuel pump 16 is provided in the reservoir 81. The fuel pump16 can suck the fuel accommodated within the reservoir 81 from thesuction port thereof (not shown) and can feed out from the outlet port16 b. One end of the hose 18 is connected with the outlet port 16 bthrough a hose adapter 83. The other end of the hose 18 is connectedwith an inlet port 91 a of a fuel filter 90 through a hose adapter 84.An outlet port 91 b of the fuel filter 90 is communicated with theoutlet pipe 12 a of the tank cover 12. The fuel filter 90 has a housing91 made of resin and a filter element (not shown) housed therein. Thedetails of the inner configuration of the fuel filter 90 issubstantially same as that of the fuel filter 20 shown in FIG. 1 so thatthe detailed explanation thereof is omitted.

[0085] As is apparent from FIG. 9, the housing 91 of the fuel filter 90is integrally formed with a connection arm 92. The reservoir 81 isformed with a recess 81 d in which a pair of brackets 81 e, 81 e isprovided so as to put a tip portion 92 a of the connection arm 92therebetween. A bolt 93 is inserted from one of the brackets 81 e to theother thereof through the tip portion 92 a to thereby couple the housing91 and the reservoir 81 with each other. Therefore, the fuel filter 90can rotatably move between an insertion position P1 and an installationposition P2 indicated in FIG. 11 with the bolt 93 being as a center.

[0086] When in the insertion position P1, the fuel filter 90 issuspended below the reservoir 81, so that the fuel filter 90 can readilybe inserted into the fuel tank 1 through the opening portion 1 bthereof. After inserting the filter 90, the filter 90 can be moved tothe installation position P2 to thereby reduce the height of the fuelsupplying apparatus 10E to allow the reservoir to be installed in thefuel tank 1.

[0087] In order to prevent the floating movement of the fuel filter 90in the fuel tank 1, the reservoir 81 is provided with a stopper flange81 f above the brackets 81 e, 81 e. When the fuel filter 90 is in theinstallation position P2, the stopper flange 81 f is brought intocontact with the upper end of the tip portion 92 a of the connection arm92 to prevent the further upward rotation of the fuel filter 90 beyondthe installation position P2.

[0088] Incidentally, the housing 91 of the fuel filter 90 is provided atits side surface with a sender unit 95 for measuring the amount of thefuel accommodated in the fuel tank 1. As is apparent from FIG. 10, thesender unit 95 is disposed on a position inside the fuel filter 90 heldin the installation position P2 (a side near a center line CL of thetank cover 12 parallel to the axis of the bolt 93). When the fuel filter90 is moved to the insertion position P1, the sender unit 95 is movedabove the fuel filter 90.

[0089] In the above embodiment, an assembly of the sleeve 80, thereservoir 81 and the components housed therein, such as the coil spring82, the fuel pump 16 and the like, corresponds to a first unit UN1, andan assembly of the fuel filter 90 and the sender unit 95 mounted thereoncorresponds to a second unit UN2. Incidentally, the first and the secondunits can be comprise various components. For example, if a pressureregulator for adjusting the pressure of the fuel supplied to the fuelinjection apparatus is disposed within the fuel tank, it is possible toattach it to the first or the second unit.

[0090] Various details of the invention may be changed without departingfrom its spirit nor its scope. Furthermore, the foregoing description ofthe embodiments according to the present invention is provided for thepurpose of illustration only, and not for the purpose of limiting theinvention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fuel supplying apparatus comprising: areservoir to be inserted from an opening portion provided in an upperportion of a fuel tank; a tank cover for closing the opening portion ofthe fuel tank; and a coupling mechanism for coupling the reservoir andthe fuel tank with each other so as to be mutually displaceable, whereinthe coupling mechanism comprises a retainer member rotatably connectedto the reservoir through a predetermined pivot and at least one couplingmember for coupling the retainer member and the tank cover with eachother so that the pivot is movable in a vertical direction of the fueltank relative to the tank cover.
 2. The fuel supplying apparatusaccording to claim 1 , wherein the coupling mechanism comprises abiasing device for imparting a force for depressing the reservoir onto abottom surface of the fuel tank.
 3. The fuel supplying apparatusaccording to claim 1 , wherein the retainer member and the couplingmember are assembled so as to be mutually displaceable in a linearfashion along the vertical direction of the fuel tank.
 4. The fuelsupplying apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the pivot is providedat one end side of the reservoir in a direction along an inner bottomsurface of the fuel tank, the fuel supplying apparatus furthercomprising a stopper for allowing the reservoir to rotate in a directionin which another end side of the reservoir moves downwardly below alevel of the pivot, and for limiting a rotation of the reservoir in theopposite direction thereto.
 5. The fuel supplying apparatus according toclaim 3 , wherein the retainer member is formed into a hollowcylindrical member connected to the reservoir so as to be rotatableabout the pivot, and the coupling member is formed into a shaft memberhaving a lower end side slidably inserted into a central portion of theretainer member and an upper end side attached to the tank cover.
 6. Thefuel supplying apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein a coil springfor biasing the retainer member toward the inner bottom surface of thefuel tank is provided on an outer circumference of the coupling member.7. The fuel supplying apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein thecoupling member is rotatably connected to the tank cover and theretainer member, respectively.
 8. The fuel supplying apparatus accordingto claim 7 , wherein a torsion coil spring for imparting a force in adirection for depressing the reservoir onto the inner bottom surface ofthe fuel tank is provided at a joint portion between the retainer memberand the coupling member.
 9. The fuel supplying apparatus according toclaim 7 , wherein the reservoir is provided with a main body and amovable portion connected to the main body so as to be extendable fromthe main body toward a side of the reservoir, and the retainer member isrotatably connected to the movable portion.
 10. A fuel supplyingapparatus comprising: a reservoir to be inserted from an opening portionprovided in an upper portion of a fuel tank; and a tank cover forclosing the opening portion of the fuel tank, wherein the reservoir isprovided with a support member capable of moving between an insertionposition in which the support member is suspended from the reservoir andan installation position in which the support member extends toward aside of the reservoir, a fuel pump is received in the reservoir, and atleast one component to be interposed between an outlet port of the fuelpump and an outlet port of the tank cover is mounted on the supportmember.
 11. The fuel supplying apparatus according to claim 10 wherein afuel filter is mounted on the support member as the component.